APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMAL PROFILE CONTROL IN AN ISOPIPE
First Claim
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1. A glass fusion apparatus for molten glass stream thermal profile control, comprising:
- a first enclosure; and
a first isopipe situated within the first enclosure,the first enclosure includes a plurality of first heating element assemblies integral with the wall of the first enclosure, and at least one first heating element assembly is in proximity to a portion of molten glass stream over-flowing the first isopipe within the enclosure.
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Abstract
A glass fusion draw apparatus for molten glass stream thermal profile control, including:
- a first enclosure; and
- a first isopipe situated within the first enclosure,
the first enclosure can include at least one first heating element assembly integral with the wall of the first enclosure, and the at least one first heating element is in proximity to a portion of molten glass stream over-flowing the first isopipe within the enclosure. The apparatus can also include a proximity or temperature sensing system associated with the first enclosure that senses and controls the thermal gradient properties of the molten glass stream or streams in the first enclosure. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the fusion apparatus.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A glass fusion apparatus for molten glass stream thermal profile control, comprising:
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a first enclosure; and a first isopipe situated within the first enclosure, the first enclosure includes a plurality of first heating element assemblies integral with the wall of the first enclosure, and at least one first heating element assembly is in proximity to a portion of molten glass stream over-flowing the first isopipe within the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16)
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8. A laminate fusion apparatus for thermal profile control of a molten glass stream, comprising:
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a first enclosure; a second enclosure encompassing at least a portion of the first enclosure; and a first isopipe and a second isopipe situated within the first enclosure, the first enclosure includes a plurality of heating element assemblies integral with the exterior wall of the first enclosure, the heating element assemblies comprise a plurality of wire winding supports having vias, the vias having resistive wire windings, the wire windings being configured to controllably receive energy from an electrical source and dissipate heat into the first enclosure.
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11. A laminate fusion draw apparatus, comprising:
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a heated tiltable enclosure surrounding at least a portion of an upper isopipe, a lower isopipe, or both isopipes; a fixed muffle enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the heated tiltable enclosure; and a non-contact temperature sensing system for determining, and either adjusting or maintaining at least one temperature gradient of the heated tiltable enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing a laminated glass article, comprising:
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forming a laminated glass article in a fusion draw apparatus, the apparatus comprising; a heated tiltable enclosure surrounding an upper isopipe and a lower isopipe; a fixed muffle enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the tiltable enclosure; and a non-contact temperature sensing system for determining, and adjusting or maintaining at least one temperature gradient of the heated tiltable enclosure while the apparatus is in use drawing and laminating glass; determining the at least one temperature gradient; and if the at least one temperature gradient is not isothermal then adjusting the at least one temperature gradient of the tiltable enclosure, or if the at least one temperature gradient is isothermal then maintaining the at least one temperature gradient of the tiltable enclosure as isothermal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification